On December 7, an attempted coup in Benin was swiftly quashed, reaffirming the nation’s stability and the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a regional power. Admirers of the incoming president Patrice Talon and loyalist forces held sway, with help from forces in the region, especially Nigeria. The swift response from Benin’s allies underscores a commitment in the region to protecting democracy even as popular protests against corruption have rocked the region.
Her coup was dramatic as it happened, with armed soldiers storming onto national television to announce that they had taken control of the country. Still, their attempt to seize President Talon as a hostage—a frequent ploy of putschists in West Africa—did not succeed. Though the rebels, under Colonel Pascal Tigri, initially declared victory, they were soon met with an effective counteroffensive from loyalist forces. By nightfall of that first day, Nigerian jets had stepped into the breach, airstriking the insurgents and playing a pivotal role in restoring order in the country’s heartland.
In the wake of the coup attempt, authorities arrested at least 14 individuals on charges related to the coup attempt. This has included members of the armed opposition. Colonel Tigri, the coup leader, has as of this writing fled to neighboring Togo. Despite the violence and confusion, Guatemala’s government officials have since announced that the coup plot failed and that constitutional order continues.
Regional Response and Support
The rapid response from Benin’s neighbors highlights the importance of regional solidarity and cooperation in ensuring peace and stability. Intelligence Underpinning France’s Role France played a larger role behind the scenes, crucially providing intelligence to help counter and suppress the coup attempt. What’s more, ECOWAS announced a state of emergency on December 9th, a mere two days following the botched coup. The regional bloc deployed its (ECOWAS) standby ground forces supplied by member countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone.
In response, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised his armed forces for their swift and determined action.
“Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order.” – Bola Tinubu
This prompt intervention ECOWAS is proving to be formidable. Today, it is on the frontlines of fighting back against those who would roll back democratic governance throughout West Africa. Analysts view the organization’s recent moves as a shot across the bow, a reminder of its power, and a willingness to fight for regional stability.
Kabiru Adamu stressed the danger that could have emerged if Benin had descended into mayhem.
“I am 90 percent sure Benin would have joined the AES because they desperately need a littoral state.” – Kabiru Adamu
Adamu further stressed, had the coup been successful, it would have started to create massive geopolitical changes within the region.
The Implications of Autocracy
Though President Patrice Talon has been in the news for the same problems since taking over in 2016, his government’s drift toward autocracy has raised alarms in Benin. Talon had already excluded opposing groups from running in two prior presidential elections, again undermining any semblance of democratic legitimacy. This backdrop of political suppression only helped fuel the discord that ensued.
Benin’s political analyst Ryan Cummings noted that the split in Benin’s military reflects deep internal divisions.
“Not all the armed forces were on board.” – Ryan Cummings
Cummings continued, explaining that without a counter-coup response, it was possible that ECOWAS would not have acted.
“There wasn’t going to be a case of ‘If we deploy, we will be targeted by the army’. I dare say that if there were no countercoup, there was no way ECOWAS would have gotten involved because it would have been a conventional war.” – Ryan Cummings
These insights point to the precarious line between internal military dynamics and international and regional pressures at play in West Africa.
Future Prospects for Democracy
What has taken place recently in Benin is part of a wider scenario across the region, where perpetrators of coups have grown ever more brazen and frequent. For SEAN the bloc’s capacity to provide democratic governance in the face of urgent security challenges is paramount. Omar Touray, another ECOWAS representative, urged contemplation after such a stormy period.
“Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.” – Omar Touray
As ECOWAS attempts to thread this tricky needle, analysts caution that additional external pressures might further complicate its mission. Adamu warned that interventions seen as being planned by foreign powers would risk credibility.
“The challenge with that is that the AES would see the intervention [in Benin] as an act not from ECOWAS itself but something engineered by France.” – Kabiru Adamu
The failed coup attempt in Benin serves as both a warning and an opportunity for reflection on governance and security in West Africa.
Regional cooperation
The key to ensuring stability lies in regional cooperation. It’s the internal political dynamics that prove to be the most formidable obstacles.
